Globally, 14% of children and adolescents experience mental health disorders.1 Children living in poverty and orphans are disproportionately impacted. And yet, there is hope. Child-centered support and quality care can provide pathways to healing and resilience.
Children of the Nations (COTN) works in 5 countries, providing children with the social and emotional care they need and deserve.
As the Social Care Specialist for Children of the Nations International, I’m excited to cheer along the in-country staff as they work toward our social care end result: to raise emotionally healthy children who can integrate their past experiences into their lives, maintain connections with their communities, achieve lasting and meaningful relationships, and thrive in school and in the workplace.
November 2024 Update
At Children of the Nations, we recognize that every child is unique, each with their own strengths and needs. Sometimes, these needs create barriers to a child's health, well-being, and their potential to transform their nation. These barriers can arise from developmental delays, experiences of abuse or loss, missed opportunities like not attending school early on, or lacking nutritious food. Each of these factors presents unique obstacles that children must overcome to achieve their goals.
Children need the support of safe adults to navigate these challenges. Our dedicated Social Care staff work tirelessly in partnership with children and their families to identify these needs and develop plans that leverage their strengths to overcome these challenges.
One example of this individualized care comes from the Social Care team in Uganda. Unfortunately, in Uganda, rates of teenage pregnancy remain high, with 28% of Ugandan girls giving birth before age 18.2 Most girls who become pregnant drop out of school and do not return, contributing to a dropout rate of 22.3% among girls aged 14 to 18.3
When one of the girls in our program became pregnant, Social Care staff members were alerted and visited the girl and her family. The family made a commitment to allow the child to complete her education, and COTN is excited to support the child and family in their pursuit, a barrier breaking decision for girls’ education. Motivated by our holistic care model, COTN-Uganda has also taken steps to ensure she receives health care during her pregnancy.
By focusing on each child's strengths and providing the necessary support, we can help them overcome their unique challenges and achieve their full potential.
To keep their administrative costs as low as possible, COTN asks all of its international staff to raise funds to support their department. Will you partner with me to support these initiatives to enhance the care of COTN children around the world?
Sources:
1. UNICEF analysis based on estimates from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), Global Burden of Disease Study, 2019 as presented in the State of the World’s Children Report 2021.
2. Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2016). Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2016.
3. Ministry of Education and Sports. (2020). Revised guidelines for the prevention and management of teenage pregnancy in school settings in Uganda.